Anyway we agreed with the rescue organization to foster the dog until they were able to come out in June to pick him up as they had moved out of state (like waaaay out of state, not one state over). I have been living on allergy meds, benadryl cream and have had both inhaler treatments and prednisone for my severe reaction to this guy, it has been very difficult to say the least.

Yesterday we got a call that the rescue will be in town THIS Saturday and can arrange to pick him up. While I am glad that the pick up will be easy I am feeling so rushed and overwhelmed. This isn’t June, I’m not prepared yet! We are not a good fit for him that is the truth but there is still a part of me that feels we gave up or that we failed him. He loves us so much despite my inability to really cuddle with him (prolonged contact results in severe hives and eye/breathing issues). My heart just hurts that this Saturday he will be gone. Yes he will be in great and very loving hands and he will eventually find that PERFECT home for him but that is rational thinking and my sad feelings aren’t rational. 🙁

@Treejewel19: You didn’t fail! The dog makes you sick, literally, and that’s not anyone’s fault….in fact this all just a part of his journey to his Forever Home, and wherever he ends up, he’s going to bring nothing but the good things you gave him along for the next family.

@Treejewel19: awww ((hugs)) you didn’t fail him! you gave him a good home for awhile and soon he’ll find another home. at least he wasn’t sitting in a cage in a shelter this whole time! you can’t help that you’re allergic to him. there was no way of knowing you’d have those allergies. it’ll be sad to see him go but just know that he’s in good hands and he will find his forever home.

I volunteer at an animal shelter doing adoptions — trust me when I say that giving a dog up because of allergies is one of the most understandable reasons, especially when I see dogs given up for the most ridiculous reasons imaginable. Yours is entirely reasonable. No one should live like that, and you tried your best. You gave this dog a loving home while you could, and they’ll find a new one soon. I understand feeling sad, but please don’t blame yourself!

@Treejewel19: Allergies are not failure with a pet. You tried all options and it didn’t work. The rescue group will find the pup a loving home and while it’s earlier than you originally thought that just means the pup will find it’s forever home that much sooner.

Don’t beat your self up, you are doing what’s in the best interest for the dog.

some days when my allergies are really bad, i wish i could give up my cats. i survive on four different allergy meds, sinus rinses, steroid sprays, steroid puffers, inhalers, air purifiers, frequent cleanings, kenalog/medrol injections…will start allergy shot therapy soon. i feel like crap all the time because i’m on so many meds.

((Hugs)) I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. You did NOT fail with the furbaby. If anything, you and your Darling Husband have put heroic efforts towards giving the pom a good home and kept him from potentially having to sit in a cramped shelter all of this time. You gave him a loving home all of these months! That can only be good for the little guy.

You tried so hard. I know it’s going to be horrible to have to say good bye, but you guys have done so well to keep him on and try and cope. And he’s been happy with you guys, at least he’s had a good time, and he’ll go somewhere where he can be cuddled.

Thank you for your kind words. I hear what you saying and it makes sense but it is really hard to fathom giving up on a pet. Our other two furbabies are our world and it just kills me that this didn’t work out.

@profiterole: I hear you. I am tired all the time with the meds. The afternoons are killer and the drive home brutal. I am always fighting exhaustion with all this stuff I’m taking. 🙁 I hope you are able to find some relief.

Dont feel bad-you in no way failed this dog. You saved him but now it’s time for him to find a loving home. I can’t imagine how hard it will be but you are giving this dog another chance. It’s a very understandable reason

Well Saturday came so quickly and as planned we returned our foster dog to the rescue. The lady that came was somewhat cold and not warm or overly friendly which made the situation more painful as she didn’t seem to be concerned with how I felt, only the dog. I don’t think she was being mean on purpose but rather it was just her personality. She was open about the plans for him, about the rescue, about her two dogs that were there and we chatted about dog breed details etc. All in all it was as pleasant as it could it be I suppose and then we loaded him up and she drove away. It was one of the harded things to do, watching her drive away, knowing that I will never see him or play with him again. It killed me and kills me still. Even while I sat there itching my hands and chest from our good bye hugs I still wondered if I had made the right decision.

When I finally got home on Sunday it broke my heart that he wasn’t there jumping excitedly and waiting for intense hello loves. The house was a little quieter without the two males desperately fighting each other for my attention.

I know it was the right thing to do. My Darling Husband cleaned the house, vacuumed the carpets and washed all the linens hoping to get his dander to a minimum and to be honest I physically felt better after a good 24 hours away from him. It just hurts to let something go that you love, even when its better all around.

Thank you to all of you for your advice and support throughout the past five months or so.